VIBRANT TRADE. Zamboanga City-based Likhang Yakan exhibits its Moro designs and woven products at the Philippine Travel Agencies Association expo at Limketkai Atrium, Cagayan de Oro City on Friday (July 19, 2024). The PTAA expo is the first in Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of Likhang Yakan)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – At least 130 international and local exhibitors opened the Mindanao leg of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) travel trade expo at Limketkai Atrium on Friday.
Evangeline Manotok, PTAA president, said in an interview Friday that the three-day expo is the first in Mindanao.
Since its inception in 1993, the expo has always been in Metro Manila.
"In PTAA, we are empowering our agent members in Visayas and Mindanao instead of clients going to Metro Manila agencies," Manotok said.
The exhibitors include government agencies and representatives from foreign embassies. Other exhibits feature local products from micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs.
Discounts and tour packages will be offered by airlines, hotels and resorts.
Manotok urged the public to only trust accredited and registered travel agencies and avoid dubious online agents to prevent scams.
"We are not just travel agents but also travel advisers and consultants. You are paying for all of our wisdom and guidance, so when you buy tickets from us, it will be a worry-free experience," she said. (PNA)
